Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals

Federal Register: November 3, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 213)

Notices

Page 65447-65448

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr03no08-117

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Treasury.

ACTION: Notice and request for comment.

SUMMARY: The OCC, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on a continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Currently, the OCC is soliciting comment concerning its extension, without change, of an information collection titled,

``Release of Non-Public Information--12 CFR 4, Subpart C.''

DATES: You should submit written comments by January 2, 2009.

ADDRESSES: You should direct all written comments to: Communications

Page 65448

Division, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Public Information

Room, Mailstop 1-5, Attention: 1557-0200, 250 E Street, SW.,

Washington, DC 20219. In addition, comments may be sent by fax to (202) 874-4448, or by electronic mail to regs.comments@occ.treas.gov. You can inspect and photocopy the comments at the OCC's Public Information

Room, 250 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20219. For security reasons, the OCC requires that visitors make an appointment to inspect comments.

You may do so by calling (202) 874-5043. Upon arrival, visitors will be required to present valid government-issued photo identification and submit to security screening in order to inspect and photocopy comments.

Additionally, you should send a copy of your comments to: OCC Desk

Officer, 1557-0200, by mail to U.S. Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW., 10235, Washington, DC 20503, or by fax to (202) 395-6974.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: You can request additional information or a copy of the collection from Mary Gottlieb, OCC Clearance Officer,

(202) 874-5090, Legislative and Regulatory Activities Division, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 250 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20219.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OCC is proposing to extend OMB approval of the following information collection:

Title: Release of Non-Public Information--12 CFR 4, Subpart C.

OMB Number: 1557-0200.

Form Number: None.

Abstract: This submission covers an existing regulation and involves no change to the regulation or to the information collections embodied in the regulation. The OCC requests only that OMB renew its approval of the information collections in the current regulation.

The information requirements require individuals who are requesting non-public OCC information to provide the OCC with information regarding the requester's legal grounds for the request. Release of non-public OCC information when the requester did not have sufficient legal grounds to obtain the information would inhibit open consultation between a bank and the OCC, thereby impairing the OCC's supervisory and regulatory mission. The OCC is entitled, under statute and case law, to require requesters to demonstrate that they have sufficient legal grounds for the OCC to release non-public OCC information. The OCC needs to know the requester's legal grounds to determine if it should release the requested non-public OCC information.

The information requirements in 12 CFR part 4, subpart C, are located as follows: 12 CFR 4.33: Request for non-public OCC records or testimony. 12 CFR 4.35(b)(3): Third parties requesting testimony. 12 CFR 4.37(a)(2): OCC former employee notifying OCC of subpoena. 12 CFR 4.37(a) and (b): Limitation on dissemination of released information. 12 CFR 4.39(d): Request for authenticated records or certificate of nonexistence of records.

The OCC uses the information to process requests for non-public OCC information and to determine if sufficient grounds exist for the OCC to release the requested information or provide testimony. This information collection makes the mechanism for processing requests more efficient and facilitates and expedites the OCC's release of non-public information and testimony to the requester.

Type of Review: Extension, without change, of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit; individuals.

Number of Respondents: 110.

Total Annual Responses: 170.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Total Annual Burden: 467 hours.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Comments are invited on:

(a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility;

(b) The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of information;

(c) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;

(d) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and

(e) Estimates of capital or startup costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information.

Dated: October 28, 2008.

Michele Meyer,

Assistant Director, Legislative & Regulatory Activities Division.

FR Doc. E8-26093 Filed 10-31-08; 8:45 am

BILLING CODE 4810-33-P